Boobs and stuff

September 10, 2012

This is part of a series of collaborative posts between Mother, Inc and Mothercare Singapore. All opinions and text are my own.

My breastfeeding journey hasn’t been a fun one. While I’m fully convinced by all the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding, both Truett and Kirsten had a lot of difficulties latching on. They were impatient and hungry babies who didn’t care much for the joys of drinking it fresh from momma. They were all like “FORGET THE BOOBS, JUST SHOW ME THE MILK!!!”

It didn’t help that I produced very little milk so with Tru, I gave up after a month of partial breastfeeding (via the bottle). With Kirsten, I managed to persevere on with the expressing thing till 9 months before finally reclaiming my breasts.

But I’ve always wanted to be like one of those moms who could pop out a boob to feed the baby anytime and anywhere instead of having to go full battle order and lug around a ginormous pump, bottles, bottle warmer and cooler bag.

So with Finn, I was determined to latch on my baby one way or another. The first couple of days wasn’t so good. I had no milk at all and the lactation consultant who came in to help me struggled for 15 minutes before declaring that my “breasts were too big”.

Um, ok, thanks, I guess?

By day 4, engorgement set in and every session I tried latching on was absolute torture. I thought that labor was the worst pain I could experience but engorgement pain? Comes pretty close. My breasts were like filled with little rocks after being beaten with large rocks and when Finn chomped down on it, I almost threw him an uppercut to the jaw. Except I didn’t because I was determined to power through the pain.

Fast-forward 2 weeks and he’s now latching on like a pro. I occasionally have to supplement with a bottle of expressed milk but at least he’s drinking most of it direct from my boobs, which is a great achievement.

Thanks to Mothercare, I’ve put together a list of all the essentials you’ll ever need to make the breastfeeding journey a little easier. All these, plus a large dose of pain endurance and you’re all set.

The Aden + Anais Soothing Paw Paw Ointment is like salve from heaven for cracked and sore nipples. I applied tons of this the first week and it helped speed up the healing process. After the soreness subsided, the Mothercare It’s Your Body Nipple Cream was great for the days that I wanted something lighter and less rich.

I really love the Serenity Star. It’s the kind of thoughtful product that only moms who have breastfed can come up with. It’s a feeding diary, a sound machine, a night light, a temperature indicator and a clock all rolled into one. It’s the one thing I keep with me all the time and when I’m stoned out of my mind trying to recall the last feeding time in the middle of the night, this is a complete lifesaver.

A pillow that’s ergonomically designed to support the baby during breastfeeding does wonders for the back. I just prop this around my waist and rest Finn on it so I don’t have to be hunched over during feeds. The JJ Cole range also comes with a matching nursing cover for some privacy when I’m out and about and I like that the design is classy enough to not look like a tablecloth.

The downside of breastfeeding: spontaneous leaks. Every time I hear a baby crying or think of breastfeeding or look at a cute baby, my boobs go into feeding frenzy mode and start leaking. These Charlie Banana reusable breast pads are super soft and absorbent, which is perfect for dealing with those embarrassing leaks. And when I don’t have time to clear the laundry (which happens more often than I’d like), there’s always the disposable Tommee Tippee breast pads to save the day.

My milk production is still not at the boob-only feeding stage yet so I’ve got to supplement with a bottle or two. Introducing a bottle is tricky because once Truett and Kirsten tasted milk from a bottle, they refused to drink from the breast. I suspect that these Tommee Tippee bottles really helped in my quest to latch on Finn because the teats are designed to resemble an actual nipple. And finally, if you’re bottle feeding, remember to sterilize!

Nice ideas. Definitely apply apply! Usually the first few weeks are the worst & then it gets better. Great job in trying to latch directly! Persevere!! :)Madeline´s last post ..Our 1st Outdoor Photoshoot

I have something against the breastfeeding pillow, I think it is totally a redundant product. Look at any breastfeeding website the correct holding position is always with just arms. It works against your long term breastfeeding goal. I used one during confinement and it was easy and comfortable for both baby n mum. But once I was out in a nursery room, there is no pillow and she has to lie on my legs and her head being supported by my arm. It was difficult. My arm was lacking the practice and strength to hold her properly, she felt mighty uncomfortable (resting against my arm bones instead of pillow). Both of us had a hard time. If you plan to latch on baby anywhere anytime on the long round, don’t rely on the pillow too much for a start. Just my personal opinion.Abby´s last post ..Saturday Art

I think every mother is different. For me, the breastfeeding pillow was a godsend as I’m rather well-endowed and needed to hold on to the baby with one hand, and my boob with the other for support. So the pillow helped with positioning and kept me from being too tired while nursing at home. I learned to cope while we were out and about.

By the way, Daphne, was the LC who helped you properly qualified? It’s a poorly trained lactation consultant who makes such inconsiderate remarks to already-stressed mothers.

Jean, I’m actually not sure that she’s a certified LC, maybe just one of the regular nurses. They were quite shorthanded when I delivered (too many dragon babies) and quite flustered so I think she got a little impatient after struggling so long.

I found my Brest Friend breastfeeding pillow very useful in the first 6 months of breastfeeding my baby. Plus it freed up arms to do other things like type on the computer, hold food/drink/tv remote control!

The Serenity Star sounds like a nice gadget. I found it a chore to write it down on paper. If it has a function to indicate the last boob that was latched on, it’ll be great. Left right, right left, left left right, right right left… I could never really remember.Geraldine´s last post ..Just with a Funny Face

Oh yes it does record the side you last fed as well. Just press a button to indicate left and right and it will show on the display but I’ve been feeding both boobs at every feed so haven’t really used it yet.

Seems like you’re quite successful at this breastfeeding thing the third time round! Great! Breastfeeding is no fun, just goes to show how much mums love their children.Elaine´s last post ..Lanterns – Made in Singapore

I feel you on the engorgement part. Had it 4 times last mth =( and best is it comes with a high fever. But strangely even with all the pain and fever, I still can go through the night feeds. God really makes the power of mother’s love very strong hahah

Great list, Daphne! I’m loving the Serenity Star already, never seen anything like it! =) So glad for you that your perseverance has paid off! I remember when my nipples cracked and bled during bfing, it felt worse than contractions. When the creams and shields all failed, the nurse here in Sweden told me all I could do was to let my girl drink the blood and endure. Well, things will sort out somehow. I lovvvee the feeling of bfing and looking into my baby’s eyes, so for that, anything is worthwhile. Jia you!Summer´s last post ..Wordless Wednesday – The kind of glass we’ll miss